Articulated Systems, Devices, and Methods for Variable Position Ball Joints

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed having a variable position spherical joint with a dynamic length, and the variable position spherical joint includes a ball and a seat having a guiding surface; an arc of the ball defines endpoints of an arcuate path for the ball to revolve in the guiding surface; a center point of the ball is concentric with a center of rotation of the seat such that the center point of the ball and the seat move along a single axis of motion; and an interface that guides the ball along the guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface is parallel to the single axis of motion to cause the ball to traverse an arc across the seat while maintaining the center of rotation concentric with the seat, thereby resulting in a length change of an attached component relative to the concentric center of rotation during an articulation of the spherical joint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technical field generally relates to ball joints, and more particularly to systems, devices, and methods for variable position ball joints that implement a spherical interface of a ball joint with at least one non-concentric arc to configure a ball and seat to move the center of rotation of the ball joint along a defined path when the ball joint is articulated. Background Art

[0002] Typically, the alignment of each wheel of a vehicle is determined by three main measurements: camber, caster, and toe. The measurements are adjusted or standardized according to the vehicle type. Camber or the camber angle is the angle of the wheel relative to the vertical direction of the vehicle, and depending on the inclination, is considered a positive camber or a negative camber.

[0003] The camber can indicate the load distribution on the tire tread. The camber is positive when the top of the tire is tilted away from the center of the vehicle, and the camber is negative when the top of the tire is tilted inward. Improper camber settings can lead to premature tire wear, for example, more tire wear on one edge. Alternatively, a positive camber can cause the vehicle to pull more to one side. A negative camber can provide increased maneuverability during turning, but reduces the contact surface between the tire and the road surface during straight driving, thus reducing the overall life of the tire. Therefore, zero camber is generally considered to be preferred and will likely result in the most uniform tire wear over time. The optimal camber setting (usually zero camber) also depends on the vehicle type and the driving conditions of the vehicle.

[0004] The camber of the wheel is calibrated or preset by the manufacturer or a technician, and the configured variable camber has different effects on the vehicle. In addition, a vehicle with multiple ground clearances is only aligned with the camber set at one ground clearance. This results in a change in tire orientation (toe / camber, etc.) for different ground clearances during vehicle operation.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mechanism that enables reduction or elimination of variations in tire orientation (i.e., the camber of the vehicle's wheels) to keep the tire orientation consistent for a vehicle operating at different or multiple ground clearances, thereby improving tire wear and vehicle dynamics when operating the vehicle.

[0006] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A system, apparatus, and method for implementing a variable position spherical joint are disclosed. The variable position spherical joint includes a spherical interface of the spherical joint having at least one non-concentric arc to configure a ball and a seat to move the center of rotation of the spherical joint along a defined path when the spherical joint is articulated.

[0008] In at least one exemplary embodiment, a system for a device with a variable position spherical joint having a dynamic length change is provided. The system includes a variable position spherical joint that includes: a ball having an upper half and a lower half and a seat having a guiding surface, the ball and the seat being coupled together in the device; the upper half of the ball including at least one arc that defines a first endpoint and a second endpoint of an arcuate path for the ball to revolve in the guiding surface configured in the seat; a center point of the upper half of the ball, the center point being configured to be concentric with the center of rotation of the seat to ensure that the center point of the upper half of the ball and the seat move along a single axis of motion; and an interface configured to guide the ball in the seat along the guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface is parallel to the single axis of motion to cause the ball to traverse in a seat travel arc of the seat while maintaining the center of rotation concentric with the seat, thereby resulting in a length change of a component attached to the device relative to the concentric center of rotation during the articulation of the variable position spherical joint.

[0009] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system includes an arcuate path having a radius measured from the center point of the ball through the upper half of the ball, the radius having a distance sufficient to maintain constant contact with the guiding surface of the seat when the ball traverses the seat travel arc.

[0010] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system including the ball and the seat is configured in a plurality of different shapes, the plurality of different shapes being configured to revolve together while still maintaining concentric centers of rotation about the respective centers of each element.

[0011] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a set of multiple arcs configured to form the arcuate path of the ball, wherein the first endpoint and the second endpoint are defined between the set of multiple arcs.

[0012] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a set of multiple arcs implemented in the variable position spherical joint in a manner that does not cause interference when the ball traverses the seat travel arc of the seat.

[0013] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the articulation of the variable position spherical joint includes the ball traversing the seat travel arc between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, resulting in a change in the length of a component attached to the device relative to the concentric center of rotation.

[0014] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sphere comprises a metallic material and the seat comprises a plastic type material for vehicle type and load in operation.

[0015] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises: a first articulated position of a variable position spherical joint having a position change enabling an articulated movement resulting from normal rotation of the sphere in the seat; and a second articulated position of the variable position spherical joint opposite the first articulated position having a position change enabling an articulated movement resulting from normal rotation of the sphere in the seat.

[0016] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, a device coupled to an attachment member is provided. The device comprises a variable position spherical joint including: a ball having an upper half and a lower half and a socket having a guiding surface, the ball and the seat being coupled together in the device; the upper half of the ball including at least one arc defining a first endpoint and a second endpoint of an arcuate path for the ball to revolve in the guiding surface of the seat configured in the socket; a center point of the upper half of the ball, the center point being configured to be concentric with a rotation center of the seat of the socket to ensure movement of the center point of the upper half of the ball and the seat of the socket along a linear movement axis; and an interface configured to guide the ball along the guiding surface into the seat in the socket, wherein the guiding surface is parallel to the linear movement axis such that the ball traverses in a travel arc of the seat of the socket while maintaining concentricity of the rotation center with the socket, thereby resulting in a length change of a component attached to the device relative to the concentric rotation center point during an articulated movement of the variable position spherical joint.

[0017] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises an arcuate path having a radius measured from a center point of the ball through the upper half of the ball, the radius having a distance sufficient for constant contact with the guiding surface of the seat of the socket when the ball traverses the travel arc of the seat of the socket.

[0018] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a seat of the socket and the ball configured in a plurality of different shapes configured to revolve together while still maintaining concentric rotation centers about respective centers of each element.

[0019] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a set of a plurality of arcs configured to constitute the arcuate path of the ball, wherein a first endpoint and a second endpoint are defined between the set of a plurality of arcs.

[0020] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a plurality of arcs implemented in a variable position spherical joint in such a way that no interference occurs when the ball traverses the travel arc of the seat of the socket.

[0021] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the articulation action of the variable position spherical joint includes the travel arc of the ball traversing the seat of the socket between a first end point and a second end point, resulting in a change in the length of the component attached to the device relative to the concentric rotation center point.

[0022] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the ball includes a metallic material, and the seat of the socket includes a plastic type material specifically for the load in the vehicle type and operation.

[0023] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a first articulation position of the variable position spherical joint, which has a position change that enables the articulation action resulting from the normal rotation of the ball in the seat of the socket; and a second articulation position of the variable position spherical joint opposite to the first articulation position, which has a position change that enables the articulation action resulting from the normal rotation of the ball in the seat of the socket.

[0024] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of articulating an attachment component of a variable position spherical joint to a device is provided. The method includes: configuring the variable position spherical joint to have a sphere with an upper half and a lower half and a seat with a guiding surface, the sphere and the seat being coupled together in the device, wherein the upper half of the sphere includes at least one arc that defines a first end point and a second end point of an arcuate path for the sphere to revolve on the guiding surface of the seat; configuring the center point of the upper half of the sphere to be concentric with the rotation center of the seat to ensure that the center point of the upper half of the sphere and the seat move along a linear motion axis; and configuring an interface to guide the sphere in the seat along the guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface is parallel to the linear motion axis so that the sphere traverses the seat travel arc of the seat while maintaining the rotation center concentric with the seat, resulting in a change in the length of the component attached to the device relative to the concentric rotation center point during the articulation action of the variable position spherical joint.

[0025] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining an arcuate path having a radius that spans the upper half of the sphere from the center point of the sphere, the radius having a distance sufficient to maintain constant contact with the guiding surface of the seat when the sphere traverses the seat travel arc.

[0026] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring the sphere and the seat into a variety of different shapes that revolve together while still maintaining concentric rotation centers around the respective centers of each element.

[0027] In another at least one exemplary embodiment, the articulation of the variable position spherical joint includes the sphere traversing an arc of travel of the seat between a first end point and a second end point, resulting in a change in the length of the component attached to the device relative to the center point of concentric rotation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary illustration of a side view of an exemplary variable position spherical joint of an exemplary variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, the exemplary variable position spherical joint including at least a ball (or sphere) having a spherical interface and a seat of a socket, the spherical interface including a concentric arc, a guiding surface, and an arc of travel of the seat;

[0030] Figure 2 An exemplary schematic side view is shown that depicts at least the positions of the center of the arc, the axis of motion, and the radius of an exemplary variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C An exemplary schematic side view is shown of the position of the kinematic rotation of the ball or sphere along a path in the seat of the socket when the exemplary variable position spherical joint of the exemplary variable position spherical joint system is articulated according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B and Figure 4C An exemplary schematic side view is shown of alternative different ball (or sphere) design shapes implemented in an exemplary variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0033] Figure 5 An exemplary diagram of a suspension system of a vehicle with adjustable height is shown, the suspension system being coupled to a variable position spherical joint and a vehicle wheel, the vehicle wheel responding to a change in vehicle height to change the attachment length to the center of concentric rotation through a variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 6 An exemplary flowchart of a process responsive to the articulation of an exemplary variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and usage. In addition, it is not intended to be bound by any explicit or implicit theory presented in the foregoing technical field, background technology, summary of the invention or the following specific embodiments.

[0036] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functions and / or logic block components and various processing steps. It should be understood that such block components may be implemented by any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform a specified function. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may employ various integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables, etc., which may perform various functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and the systems described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] The present disclosure describes systems, devices and methods for a series of non-concentric arcs of a ball (or sphere) and a socket that provide limited movement of the center of rotation when the joint is articulated, which causes the length from the center of rotation of the spherical joint to the center of rotation at the opposite side of the component to change during the articulation action.

[0038] The present disclosure describes systems, devices and methods for implementing a ball (or sphere) in a variable position spherical joint, wherein the ball or sphere is implemented without a fixed center of rotation, thereby causing a dynamic change in the length from the center of rotation of the ball or sphere to the center of rotation at the opposite side of the component during an articulation motion.

[0039] The terms "ball" and "sphere" refer to a circular, spheroidal, ellipsoidal or similarly shaped object consisting of two halves, an upper half and a lower half, joined together in a manner having external contact points on either side that are capable of contacting a cavity containing the ball or sphere. For example, these terms include a spheroid or a rotating ellipsoid having circular symmetry about a major axis. Another exemplary embodiment consists of a prolate ellipsoid, a soccer ball or a rugby ball. In another exemplary embodiment, the ball or sphere consists of an ellipsoidal or oval shape having a portion that includes an elliptical curve or arc. In another exemplary embodiment, the terms ball and sphere refer to an egg shape approximated by connecting the "long" half of a prolate ellipsoid to the "short" half of a roughly spherical ellipsoid, or even a slightly oblate ellipsoid connected at the equator and sharing the major axis of the rotational symmetry axis. In this exemplary embodiment, the term egg shape can include a lack of reflection symmetry in the equatorial plane.

[0040] The present disclosure describes systems, apparatus and methods that define a nominal position and an expected ball diameter of a ball joint, and also define two additional positions of the ball joint using the articulation angle and the change in position relative to the nominal position.

[0041] The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and methods for configuring arcs by endpoints to define the path of a ball (or sphere), where the centers of multiple arcs do not coincide, and generating the shape of the ball or sphere in a manner that does not cause interference between the ball and the socket when the joint is articulated. In an exemplary embodiment, the multiple arcs are configured to ensure that the radius is always in contact with the seat.

[0042] The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and methods where the central portion of the top side of the ball is configured to be concentric with the center of rotation to ensure that the center point moves along only one axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the guiding surface is configured to be parallel to the axis of movement and must be configured in the seat along which the arc travels.

[0043] The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and methods where the shapes of the ball (or sphere) and the socket are revolved around their respective centers to complete the ball and socket interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the ball can be made of steel or other metal alloys, and the seat can be made of plastic, polymer, or resin (POM) materials, where for both components, the material composition exhibits typical Hertzian contact stresses of spherical joint components. However, the ball and the seat may need to increase in size within a range of 20% of the diameter to compensate for or accommodate the stress, and this size increase depends on the vehicle type, configuration, and the allowable range requirements of the vehicle and the load.

[0044] Figure 1 An exemplary schematic diagram of a side view of an exemplary variable - position spherical joint of an exemplary variable - position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The exemplary variable - position spherical joint includes at least a ball (or sphere) having a spherical interface and a seat of the socket, and the spherical interface includes concentric arcs, a guiding surface, and a seat travel arc. In Figure 1 it, an exemplary variable - position spherical joint system 10 is depicted, which has multiple arcs on the ball 20, the guiding surface 30, the seat 35, the radius 25 of the ball (or sphere) 20, and the seat travel arc 40. The ball (or sphere) 20 is received or coupled in the seat 35 of a joint (not shown) to form an assembly of the spherical joint.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the seat travel arc 40 includes two end points (50, 55) that contact the surface of the ball 20. The top portion of the ball 20 rotates or revolves around the guide surface 30 of the seat 35. Portions 60, 65 of the seat 35 do not contact the ball 20. The center point 70 of the ball is concentric with the center of rotation of the seat 35, and the seat 35 moves along one axis or with one degree of freedom of movement (not shown). The interface 80 includes the guide surface 30, which is parallel to a single or linear axis of movement, such that the ball 20 traverses across all or a portion of the seat travel arc 40 of the seat 35 while maintaining the center of rotation (in this case at the center point 70) concentric with the seat 35. When the ball 20 travels along the seat travel arc 40, this results in a change in length of the component 75 attached to the ball 20 and seat 35 assembly (i.e., the attachment component can be attached to the seat or the ball or both) relative to the concentric center of rotation point during the articulation of the variable position spherical joint.

[0046] Figure 2 An exemplary schematic view is shown that at least depicts the position of the center of the arc, the axis of movement, and the radius of an exemplary variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment. In Figure 2 it, in the exemplary figure, an arc of the ball 20 is depicted that has end points 205, 210 to define the path of the ball 20. In this case, the centers of the two arcs 200, 215 do not coincide. To generate the shape of the ball 20, multiple arcs 200, 215 are used to ensure that there is no interference between the ball 20 and the socket (not shown) when the spherical joint articulates. The arcs 200, 215 must also be configured to ensure that ( Figure 1 of) the radius 25 always contacts the seat 35. The arcuate path has a radius 25 measured from the center point of the ball 20 through the upper half of the ball ( Figure 1 ), and this radius 25 has a distance sufficient to enable constant contact with the guide surface 30 of the seat 35 ( Figure 1 ) when the ball 20 traverses the seat travel arc (i.e., the arcuate paths 240, 245), where a corresponding articulation of the variable position spherical joint occurs at + / - 30 degrees (225, 230). A change in position also occurs from ρ128:30:00 to ρ126:30:00, where the + / - 30 degrees (225, 230) of articulation between the first and second end points of the ball 20 arc results in a change in length of the component attached to the device relative to the concentric center of rotation point. Additionally, when the center of the arc changes from its nominal position at ρ128:30:00, this results in a change in length from the center of rotation of the attachment component to ρ130:2.00 that changes by 2:00 mm at ρ129:2.00.

[0047] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3CAn exemplary schematic side view showing the kinematic rotation position of a ball (or sphere) along a path in a socket when an exemplary variable position spherical joint causes an articulation action through an exemplary variable position spherical joint system. In Figure 3A , the variable position spherical joint is depicted in a nominal position where the ball rotation center XC can move along a defined path when hinged to the rotation center YC. Thus, when the angular position of the attached component is changed by the articulation action of the variable position spherical joint, the length defined by the rotation center changes by 2 mm at + / - 30 degrees, as Figure 3A and Figure 3B shown. The variable position spherical joint moves along a defined path via the kinematic rotation point of the ball, thereby causing a change in the effective length when the joint articulates. The effective change in the length of the attached component 300 assembled to the spherical joint varies from Figure 3B 118.00 mm in Figure 3C to Figure 3A 114.00 mm in

[0048] , or changes by 2 mm at + / - 30 degrees from the nominal position in Figure 2 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the spherical joint is not articulated in either direction, the attached component 300 is in the nominal position, and the distance defined by the expected ball diameter of 32 mm (in Figure 2 ) is between two articulated positions in either direction of the variable position spherical joint. The distance of the attached component 300 is 116.00 mm. While in Figure 3A and Figure 3B , two additional positions of the spherical joint using the articulation angle and the position change from the Figure 3A nominal position result in a change of approximately 2 mm in the rotation center during the + / - 30 - degree articulation movement of the spherical joint.

[0049] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C show exemplary schematic side views of alternative different ball or sphere design shapes implemented in an exemplary variable position spherical joint system. In Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C , the sphere 400 and the seat 410 are configured in a variety of different shapes, which are configured to rotate together while still maintaining concentric rotation centers about the respective centers of each element, and also maintaining three functional contact surfaces in each shape configuration to ensure that the arcs of the different - shaped spheres 400 have radii that always contact the seat 410.

[0050] Figure 5An exemplary diagram showing a suspension system of a vehicle with adjustable height according to an exemplary embodiment, the suspension system being coupled to a variable position spherical joint and a wheel, the suspension system responding to a change in vehicle height to change the attachment length to a concentric center of rotation through an exemplary variable position spherical joint system. In Figure 5 it, a vehicle 500 is depicted, which includes a controller 510 that communicates with a vehicle suspension system 520 to adjust the vehicle height, and a variable position spherical joint system 530 that is coupled to or integrated with the vehicle suspension system 520. The variable position spherical joint system 530 responds to a change in vehicle height through an articulation action that causes a change in the length from the center of rotation of the spherical joint to the center of rotation at the opposite side of the attached component 540. This in turn results in an adjustment through a dynamic change in the length of the vehicle suspension system 520 to prevent the camber of the wheel 550 from changing while the vehicle is in operation and to keep the wheel 550 aligned as the vehicle height changes (i.e., adjust the tire orientation 560). This adjustment provides a tire orientation 560 (toe / camber, etc.) corresponding to different ground clearances, increasing the tire tread life by causing more uniform tire wear at different vehicle heights.

[0051] Figure 6 An exemplary flowchart showing a process of an articulation action in response to a change in vehicle height of an exemplary variable position spherical joint system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 The exemplary process of the flowchart 600 in it describes maintaining a consistent tire orientation by preventing a change in camber such that, through the articulation action of the variable position spherical joint in response to a change in vehicle height, the tire orientation is corresponding or adjusted to remain consistent. In step 610, the driver of the vehicle can initiate a vehicle height adjustment to raise or lower the vehicle height, or the vehicle can be equipped with an automatic adaptive mechanism to change the vehicle height. For example, some vehicles can be equipped with a height-adjustable suspension mechanism that can be used by the driver to change the body height or ground clearance of the vehicle, or the ground clearance or ride height of the vehicle can be established via an automatic adaptive vehicle application. This can be done for various reasons, including providing better ground clearance on rough terrain, or a lower ground clearance to improve performance and fuel economy at high speeds.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, Air Ride Adaptive Suspension or Air Ride is a common chassis and suspension technology that is capable of dynamically raising or lowering the ground clearance of a vehicle. The described variable position spherical joint system incorporated and configured in the suspension system can be implemented using this system with a responsive articulation action to adjust the wheel orientation of the vehicle for tire orientation (i.e., camber).

[0053] In step 620, in response to a change in vehicle height, the variable position spherical joint system undergoes an articulation action.

[0054] In step 630, a traversal of the ball travel arc between the first and second endpoints of the arc path of the ball occurs, resulting in a change in the length of the component attached to the device relative to the concentric rotation center point.

[0055] In step 640, the length of the attached component changes due to the movement of the ball as the ball is guided along the guiding surface of the socket seat, because the guiding surface is parallel to the linear movement axis and keeps the center of rotation concentric with the seat as the ball traverses the seat travel arc of the seat.

[0056] In step 650, due to the point where the ball is always in contact with the seat, the ball and the seat remain in constant contact due to the arc path. Taking this into account, the radius of the ball is determined from the center point of the ball through the upper half of the ball to allow for constant contact with the seat as the ball traverses the guiding surface (at one of the 3 points, see Figure 4A -C).

[0057] In step 660, the spherical joint is hinged to the first position or the second position using the articulation angle and the change in position from the nominal position. For the two additional positions of the spherical joint, the articulation angle and the change in position from the nominal position of the rotation center are used, with a change of approximately 2 mm, where the attached component rotates + / - 30 degrees.

[0058] In step 670, as a result of the length change, the camber of the wheel is adjusted by the vehicle suspension system including the variable spherical joint and the attached component to adapt the tire orientation to the corresponding change in vehicle height and to expose the surface area of the tire more evenly to the ground during driving operations.

[0059] It should be understood that Figure 6 the process may include any number of additional or alternative tasks, Figure 6 the tasks shown in Figure 6 need not be performed in the order shown, and Figure 6 the process may be incorporated into a more comprehensive process or process having additional features not detailed herein. Additionally, one or more of the tasks shown in Figure 6 the embodiments of the process shown may be omitted as long as the overall intended function remains intact.

[0060] The foregoing detailed description is, to a large extent, merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Further, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the foregoing technical field, background, or detailed description of specific embodiments.

[0061] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be understood that one or more exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit, in any way, the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0062] It should be understood that various changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for a device with a variable position spherical joint having a dynamically varying length, comprising: The variable position spherical joint includes a sphere having an upper half and a lower half and a seat having a guiding surface, and the sphere and the seat are coupled together in the device; The upper half of the sphere includes at least one arc that defines a first end point and a second end point of an arcuate path for the sphere to revolve in the guiding surface disposed in the seat; A center point of the upper half of the sphere, which is configured to be concentric with the center of rotation of the seat to ensure that the center point of the upper half of the sphere and the seat move along a single axis of motion; and An interface configured to guide the sphere in the seat along the guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface is parallel to the single axis of motion to enable the sphere to traverse in the seat travel arc of the seat while maintaining the center of rotation concentric with the seat, thereby resulting in a length change of a component attached to the device relative to the concentric center of rotation during the articulation action of the variable position spherical joint.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: The arcuate path has a radius measured from the center point of the sphere through the upper half of the sphere, and the radius has a distance sufficient to maintain constant contact with the guiding surface of the seat when the sphere traverses the seat travel arc.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: The sphere and the seat are configured in a variety of different shapes, and the shapes are configured to revolve together while still maintaining a concentric center of rotation about the respective centers of each element.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising: A set of multiple arcs configured to constitute the arcuate path of the sphere, wherein the first end point and the second end point are defined between the set of multiple arcs.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising: Implementing the set of multiple arcs in the variable position spherical joint in a manner that does not cause interference when the sphere traverses the seat travel arc of the seat.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the articulation action of the variable position spherical joint includes the sphere traversing the seat travel arc between the first end point and the second end point, resulting in a change in the length of a component attached to the device relative to the concentric center of rotation.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The sphere includes a metallic material, and the seat includes a plastic type material for loads in vehicle types and operations.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising: A first articulation position of the variable position spherical joint, the first articulation position having a position change such that an articulation action can be achieved from the normal rotation of the sphere in the seat; and A second articulation position of the variable position spherical joint, the second articulation position being opposite to the first articulation position and having a position change such that an articulation action can be achieved from the normal rotation of the sphere in the seat.

9. A method of hinging a variable-position spherical joint to an attachment member of a device, comprising: configuring the variable-position spherical joint to have a sphere including an upper half and a lower half and a seat having a guiding surface, the sphere and the seat being coupled together in the device, wherein the upper half of the sphere includes at least one arc that defines a first end point and a second end point of an arcuate path for the sphere to revolve on the guiding surface in the seat; configuring a center point of the upper half of the sphere to be concentric with a center of rotation of the seat to ensure that the center point of the upper half of the sphere and the seat move along a linear motion axis; and configuring an interface to guide the sphere in the seat along the guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface is parallel to the linear motion axis to enable the sphere to traverse a seat travel arc in the seat while maintaining the center of rotation concentric with the seat, so that during the hinging action of the variable-position spherical joint, a length change of a member attached to the device occurs relative to the concentric center of rotation point.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: determining the arcuate path having a radius passing through the upper half of the sphere from a center point of the sphere, the radius having a distance sufficient to enable constant contact with the guiding surface of the seat when the sphere traverses the seat travel arc; and configuring the sphere and the seat into a plurality of different shapes that revolve together while still maintaining concentric centers of rotation about respective centers of each element, wherein the hinging action of the variable-position spherical joint includes the sphere traversing the seat travel arc between the first end point and the second end point, resulting in a change in length of a member attached to the device relative to the concentric center of rotation point.

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